Spicy Thai Basil Chicken Flavorful and Easy Recipe

by Elizabeth on May 20, 2025

Get ready to spice up your dinner with my easy recipe for Spicy Thai Basil Chicken. This dish brings bold flavors right to your kitchen in just a few steps. You’ll learn about the key ingredients that make this meal pop and discover tips to customize it to your taste. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or cooking for yourself, this recipe is sure to impress. Let’s dive in!

$To make spicy Thai basil chicken, gather these main ingredients: - 1 lb (450g) boneless chicken thighs, sliced thinly - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 2-3 bird's eye chilies, finely chopped (adjust to taste) - 1 red bell pepper, sliced - 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves - 2 tablespoons soy sauce - 1 tablespoon fish sauce - 1 teaspoon sugar These ingredients create a rich, vibrant dish with bold flavors. You can add these optional ingredients for even more taste: - 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (for added depth) Oyster sauce brings a nice umami flavor to the dish. Serve spicy Thai basil chicken with these tasty sides: - Cooked jasmine rice - Steamed vegetables - Cucumber salad These sides balance the heat and enhance your meal. Enjoy experimenting with these flavors! {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by gathering all your ingredients. You will need: - 1 lb (450g) boneless chicken thighs, sliced thinly - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 2-3 bird's eye chilies, finely chopped - 1 red bell pepper, sliced - 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves - 2 tablespoons soy sauce - 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional) - 1 tablespoon fish sauce - 1 teaspoon sugar - Cooked jasmine rice, for serving Wash your vegetables well. Slice the chicken into thin strips. Mince the garlic and chop the chilies. This prep makes cooking easier and faster. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok on medium-high heat. Once hot, add the minced garlic and chopped chilies. Sauté for about 30 seconds. You want the garlic fragrant but not burnt. Next, add the sliced chicken thighs. Stir frequently for about 5-7 minutes. Cook until the chicken is browned and no longer pink inside. Now, toss in the sliced red bell pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes. The peppers should be slightly soft but still crisp. This adds great texture to the dish. In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, oyster sauce (if you're using it), fish sauce, and sugar. Stir well to combine. Pour this sauce mixture into the skillet. Stir to coat the chicken and peppers evenly. Let everything cook for another minute. This allows the sauce to stick to the chicken and veggies. Finally, turn off the heat and gently fold in the fresh Thai basil leaves. They will wilt quickly from the heat. Serve your spicy Thai basil chicken over jasmine rice. Enjoy! You control how spicy your dish is. Start with one bird's eye chili. Taste, then add more if you want it hotter. Remember, fresh chilies are very strong! If it's too spicy, add a little sugar. This balances the heat nicely. You can also serve it with extra lime. Lime juice cools down the spice, making it more enjoyable. For tender chicken, slice the thighs thinly. This helps them cook quickly and evenly. Cook on medium-high heat for the best results. Avoid overcrowding the pan. If the pan is too full, the chicken will steam instead of fry. This can make it tough. Stir often to get an even cook. Make your dish look great! Serve the chicken on a bed of jasmine rice. Add fresh basil leaves on top for color. A slice of lime on the side adds brightness. This makes your dish pop! You can also use a colorful plate to enhance the look. Enjoy your meal with a smile! Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Opt for fresh Thai basil and the freshest chicken you can find for the best flavor in your dish. Adjust Spice Level: Feel free to adjust the number of bird's eye chilies to match your heat tolerance; start with fewer and add more if desired. Perfect Rice: Make sure to serve this dish over perfectly steamed jasmine rice, which complements the bold flavors beautifully. Garnish for Appeal: A few whole basil leaves and a slice of lime not only enhance presentation but also add a burst of freshness when served. {{image_2}} You can easily make Spicy Thai Basil Chicken vegetarian. Use firm tofu instead of chicken. Slice the tofu into thin pieces. Pan-fry the tofu until golden brown. This gives it a nice texture. Follow the same steps in the recipe after adding the garlic and chilies. Use the same sauces to keep the flavors. If you prefer other proteins, try shrimp or beef. For shrimp, cook them quickly, about 2-3 minutes. Add them just after the garlic and chilies. For beef, use thin strips of flank steak. Cook the beef until it’s browned, about 5-7 minutes. Both options will still taste great with the sauce. Many ingredients can change based on what you have. If you can’t find Thai basil, use regular basil or mint. You can replace fish sauce with soy sauce for a vegetarian option. If you want less sweetness, skip the sugar or use honey. Each swap can offer a new twist on the dish. To store leftovers, let the dish cool down first. Place it in an airtight container. Make sure to cover it well. Store the container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for about 3 days. To reheat, take the chicken out of the fridge. You can use a skillet or microwave. If using a skillet, heat it on medium. Add a splash of water to keep it moist. Stir it for about 5 minutes or until hot. If using a microwave, heat it in short bursts. Check every 30 seconds to avoid overcooking. You can freeze Spicy Thai Basil Chicken too. Use a freezer-safe container for best results. It will last up to 3 months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Reheat it as mentioned above. Enjoy the flavors again! Spicy Thai Basil Chicken is a tasty dish from Thailand. It features tender chicken cooked with spicy chilies and fresh basil. The dish has a bold flavor, thanks to soy sauce, fish sauce, and garlic. You serve it over jasmine rice for a complete meal. This dish is quick to make and perfect for busy days. Yes, you can use different meats. Feel free to swap chicken for pork, beef, or shrimp. Each meat brings its own flavor. Just make sure to adjust cooking times. For example, shrimp cooks faster than chicken. Always ensure the meat is fully cooked before serving. To reduce the heat, use fewer bird's eye chilies. You can add more bell pepper to balance the spice. Another option is to remove the seeds from the chilies. You can also serve the dish with a side of yogurt or sour cream. This helps to cool the heat and makes it more enjoyable for everyone. This blog post covered how to make Spicy Thai Basil Chicken. We discussed main and optional ingredients, plus tasty side dishes. I walked you through step-by-step cooking and shared helpful tips. We even explored variations for different diets and storage methods. In the end, you can enjoy this dish your way. Make it spicy or mild and choose what fits your taste. Each bite brings fresh flavors. Take these ideas to your kitchen and have fun making it!$

Why I Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy: This dish comes together in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Flavor Explosion: The combination of Thai basil, garlic, and chilies creates a bold and aromatic flavor profile.
Customizable Heat: Adjust the number of bird’s eye chilies to suit your spice tolerance, making it accessible for everyone.
One-Pan Wonder: Minimal cleanup is required since everything cooks in one skillet, leaving you more time to enjoy your meal.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients for Spicy Thai Basil Chicken

To make spicy Thai basil chicken, gather these main ingredients:

– 1 lb (450g) boneless chicken thighs, sliced thinly

– 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

– 4 cloves garlic, minced

– 2-3 bird’s eye chilies, finely chopped (adjust to taste)

– 1 red bell pepper, sliced

– 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves

– 2 tablespoons soy sauce

– 1 tablespoon fish sauce

– 1 teaspoon sugar

These ingredients create a rich, vibrant dish with bold flavors.

Optional Ingredients for Extra Flavor

You can add these optional ingredients for even more taste:

– 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (for added depth)

Oyster sauce brings a nice umami flavor to the dish.

Suggested Side Dishes

Serve spicy Thai basil chicken with these tasty sides:

– Cooked jasmine rice

– Steamed vegetables

– Cucumber salad

These sides balance the heat and enhance your meal. Enjoy experimenting with these flavors!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Ingredients

Start by gathering all your ingredients. You will need:

– 1 lb (450g) boneless chicken thighs, sliced thinly

– 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

– 4 cloves garlic, minced

– 2-3 bird’s eye chilies, finely chopped

– 1 red bell pepper, sliced

– 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves

– 2 tablespoons soy sauce

– 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)

– 1 tablespoon fish sauce

– 1 teaspoon sugar

– Cooked jasmine rice, for serving

Wash your vegetables well. Slice the chicken into thin strips. Mince the garlic and chop the chilies. This prep makes cooking easier and faster.

Cooking the Chicken and Vegetables

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok on medium-high heat. Once hot, add the minced garlic and chopped chilies. Sauté for about 30 seconds. You want the garlic fragrant but not burnt.

Next, add the sliced chicken thighs. Stir frequently for about 5-7 minutes. Cook until the chicken is browned and no longer pink inside.

Now, toss in the sliced red bell pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes. The peppers should be slightly soft but still crisp. This adds great texture to the dish.

Making the Sauce

In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, oyster sauce (if you’re using it), fish sauce, and sugar. Stir well to combine.

Pour this sauce mixture into the skillet. Stir to coat the chicken and peppers evenly. Let everything cook for another minute. This allows the sauce to stick to the chicken and veggies.

Finally, turn off the heat and gently fold in the fresh Thai basil leaves. They will wilt quickly from the heat. Serve your spicy Thai basil chicken over jasmine rice. Enjoy!

Tips & Tricks

Adjusting Spice Levels

You control how spicy your dish is. Start with one bird’s eye chili. Taste, then add more if you want it hotter. Remember, fresh chilies are very strong! If it’s too spicy, add a little sugar. This balances the heat nicely. You can also serve it with extra lime. Lime juice cools down the spice, making it more enjoyable.

Ensuring Perfect Chicken Texture

For tender chicken, slice the thighs thinly. This helps them cook quickly and evenly. Cook on medium-high heat for the best results. Avoid overcrowding the pan. If the pan is too full, the chicken will steam instead of fry. This can make it tough. Stir often to get an even cook.

Presentation Tips

Make your dish look great! Serve the chicken on a bed of jasmine rice. Add fresh basil leaves on top for color. A slice of lime on the side adds brightness. This makes your dish pop! You can also use a colorful plate to enhance the look. Enjoy your meal with a smile!

Pro Tips

Use Fresh Ingredients: Opt for fresh Thai basil and the freshest chicken you can find for the best flavor in your dish.
Adjust Spice Level: Feel free to adjust the number of bird’s eye chilies to match your heat tolerance; start with fewer and add more if desired.
Perfect Rice: Make sure to serve this dish over perfectly steamed jasmine rice, which complements the bold flavors beautifully.
Garnish for Appeal: A few whole basil leaves and a slice of lime not only enhance presentation but also add a burst of freshness when served.

Variations

Vegetarian Adaptation

You can easily make Spicy Thai Basil Chicken vegetarian. Use firm tofu instead of chicken. Slice the tofu into thin pieces. Pan-fry the tofu until golden brown. This gives it a nice texture. Follow the same steps in the recipe after adding the garlic and chilies. Use the same sauces to keep the flavors.

Alternative Protein Options

If you prefer other proteins, try shrimp or beef. For shrimp, cook them quickly, about 2-3 minutes. Add them just after the garlic and chilies. For beef, use thin strips of flank steak. Cook the beef until it’s browned, about 5-7 minutes. Both options will still taste great with the sauce.

Ingredient Substitutions

Many ingredients can change based on what you have. If you can’t find Thai basil, use regular basil or mint. You can replace fish sauce with soy sauce for a vegetarian option. If you want less sweetness, skip the sugar or use honey. Each swap can offer a new twist on the dish.

Storage Info

How to Store Leftovers

To store leftovers, let the dish cool down first. Place it in an airtight container. Make sure to cover it well. Store the container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for about 3 days.

Reheating Instructions

To reheat, take the chicken out of the fridge. You can use a skillet or microwave. If using a skillet, heat it on medium. Add a splash of water to keep it moist. Stir it for about 5 minutes or until hot. If using a microwave, heat it in short bursts. Check every 30 seconds to avoid overcooking.

Freezing the Dish

You can freeze Spicy Thai Basil Chicken too. Use a freezer-safe container for best results. It will last up to 3 months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Reheat it as mentioned above. Enjoy the flavors again!

FAQs

What is Spicy Thai Basil Chicken?

Spicy Thai Basil Chicken is a tasty dish from Thailand. It features tender chicken cooked with spicy chilies and fresh basil. The dish has a bold flavor, thanks to soy sauce, fish sauce, and garlic. You serve it over jasmine rice for a complete meal. This dish is quick to make and perfect for busy days.

Can I use other types of meat?

Yes, you can use different meats. Feel free to swap chicken for pork, beef, or shrimp. Each meat brings its own flavor. Just make sure to adjust cooking times. For example, shrimp cooks faster than chicken. Always ensure the meat is fully cooked before serving.

How do I make it less spicy?

To reduce the heat, use fewer bird’s eye chilies. You can add more bell pepper to balance the spice. Another option is to remove the seeds from the chilies. You can also serve the dish with a side of yogurt or sour cream. This helps to cool the heat and makes it more enjoyable for everyone.

This blog post covered how to make Spicy Thai Basil Chicken. We discussed main and optional ingredients, plus tasty side dishes. I walked you through step-by-step cooking and shared helpful tips. We even explored variations for different diets and storage methods.

In the end, you can enjoy this dish your way. Make it spicy or mild and choose what fits your taste. Each bite brings fresh flavors. Take these ideas to your kitchen and have fun making i

Spicy Thai Basil Chicken

A flavorful and spicy dish featuring chicken thighs stir-fried with fresh Thai basil and a savory sauce.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Course Main Course

Cuisine Thai

Servings 4

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

1 lb boneless chicken thighs, sliced thinly
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 bird's eye chilies finely chopped (adjust to taste)
1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional, for added depth)
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
as needed cooked jasmine rice, for serving

Instructions

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
Add the minced garlic and bird's eye chilies, sautéing for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Add the sliced chicken thighs to the pan, stirring frequently. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is browned and cooked through.
Toss in the sliced red bell pepper and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until slightly softened.
In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), fish sauce, and sugar. Pour this sauce mixture into the skillet, stirring to combine all ingredients.
Cook for another minute, allowing the sauce to coat the chicken and peppers thoroughly.
Remove the skillet from heat and fold in the fresh Thai basil leaves gently until just wilted.
Serve the spicy Thai basil chicken over a bed of jasmine rice.

Notes

Serve garnished with whole basil leaves and a slice of lime for an extra touch.

Keyword chicken, spicy, stir fry, Thai basil